Alignment wrong 4ws - garage messed up

stinkypaul · Post by **stinkypaul** » Wed Mar 26, 2025 2:36 pm

So after ten years of ownership, I decided to get an alignment. Over the years when I've replaced parts, rod ends etc. I've checked and set the position myself to make sure everything went back the same. It didn't pull, the tyre wear was fine, but I decided to get it checked.

So now I have a prelude that pulls left. If the steering wheel is straight the car steers left, so to go straight I have to have the wheel slightly to the right (about 15°).
At the time they showed me the sheet, with a load of green squares after some "tiny" adjustments.

Obviously I went back, but they say it's spot on and they can't figure it out.

Before both alignments, I talked to them about the 4ws, how it works and how to use the locking pin, which they said they did.

I'm not going to push them to fix it, they don't know how.

There's a place near me that aligns race cars etc. so I'd like to go there, but it's expensive and I'm now out of work. I'll take it there when I can afford it but for now if we can figure out what's wrong I'll adjust myself to get it closer to correct.

I suspect they put the steering wheel straight after they had got the car on the ramp and with the engine off, so that when they aligned it the rear wheels weren't in the correct position.

I'm scratching my head, does anyone know what could be wrong?

Post by **Merlin** » Wed Mar 26, 2025 2:38 pm

Do you have the printout that shows the values before and after the alignment?

stinkypaul · Post by **stinkypaul** » Wed Mar 26, 2025 2:43 pm

Not to hand, I think it's disappeared into the garage vortex, I'll take a look though.

YouTube · Post by **Sailor** » Wed Mar 26, 2025 7:42 pm

If it all actually works properly except for the steering wheel alignment itself, could it be something as simple as just adjusting the wheel? Or are you saying that you actually have to steer the car to the right to go straight?

Post by **Vtecmec** » Wed Mar 26, 2025 7:56 pm

Adjusting the steering wheel would throw all the electronic sensors out of alignment.

I had something similar a few years back, 3 visits and they couldn't get it right on a Hunter system, even though the sheets were all in spec. In the end I did my own alignment. It's spot on now and I've done it multiple times when messing with ride heights. Basically it's probably user error either not settling it correct as you mention or not actually hitting the middle of the tolerance for each wheel.

Post by **vanzep** » Wed Mar 26, 2025 9:32 pm

How are you doing your own alignment?
Ive had 4 or 5 alignments done over the years - with 2 being spot on but last 3 not so good. They do tend to ignore what you say about engine not running when using the 4ws locking pin etc Last time alignment just ok and no more but steering wheel not straight (not easy to fix on 4ws airbagd lude) and they said rear camber out by 1degree on one side as they said adjustment bolt in lca was binding. Ive kept my last 2 alignment reports for my BB1.

Post by **Vtecmec** » Thu Mar 27, 2025 8:53 am

I have a set of Dunlop gauges, so I can reliably set the front and rear alignment.

Though I don't use them on the Prelude anymore, essentially I use a straight edge, a lazer and a piece of paper. It is incredibly accurate.

If I have time this weekend, I'll put something up as the photos on my build thread have all vanished.

stinkypaul · Post by **stinkypaul** » Thu Mar 27, 2025 9:52 am

Sailor wrote: ↑
Wed Mar 26, 2025 7:42 pm
If it all actually works properly except for the steering wheel alignment itself, could it be something as simple as just adjusting the wheel? Or are you saying that you actually have to steer the car to the right to go straight?

There's another thread where someone explains how to do your own alignment with minimum tools, but unfortunately, the images have gone. There was one tip that I used though: Centre the steering wheel then turn it all the way left and stick some masking tape on the bottom of the steering wheel then turn the steering wheel all the way to the right and then stick some more masking tape on the bottom of the steering wheel, then straighten the steering wheel and centre of the rack should be at the top between the two pieces of tape. When I did that my steering wheel was straight, so I can be sure my steering wheel is on correctly, and I won't benefit from taking the wheel off and moving it, and it will probably mess up the sensors.

The car only pulls slightly left but to go straight the steering wheel does have to be turned to the right.

stinkypaul · Post by **stinkypaul** » Fri Mar 28, 2025 11:55 am

Merlin wrote: ↑
Wed Mar 26, 2025 2:38 pm
Do you have the printout that shows the values before and after the alignment?

I've found the alignment print out, and I'm glad you asked because I don't know why I didn't look at it properly before. There's overall room for improvement but 3 of the wheels aren't too bad. The rear right is +0.34' though:

Left Front -0.01'
Right Front 0.00'
Left Rear -0.03'
Right Rear +0.34'

Both rears are wrong, especially the right, I reckon that could be the issue. I'll adjust it and go from there.

Post by **Vtecmec** » Fri Mar 28, 2025 1:22 pm

Yes, the rear should toe in slightly, likely within the spec tolerance, but clearly not going to work.

Obvious that the operator doesn't give a 5hit.